Cleaning tool with demand-responsive air port

Abstract

A cleaning tool for a fluid vacuum type of cleaning machine having a demand-responsive air port for an automatic determination of air as required by the degree of suction exerted at the perimeter of the cleaning head to the end that there is an adequate stream of air entrained into the cleaning tool such that the cleaning fluid therein is effectively dispersed for engagement with the surface or surface covering material to be cleaned and for the avoidance of over or under powering the suction of the lower perimeter of the tool when engaged with various surfaces and surface coverings.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In connection with a fluid vacuum type cleaning apparatus, a cleaning tool comprising a hood having a chamber therein and forming a nozzle at its forward end,   a tubular member communicating with said chamber and extending rearwardly of said hood to a suction source,   a cleaning fluid line from a fluid source extending into said fluid chamber,   a restrictive demand responsive air port open to the atmosphere communicating with said fluid chamber,   a suction passage between said fluid chamber and said hood running to said tubular member from said nozzle,   said demand responsive air port comprises a diaphragm having a pair of torsion spring restrained flaps flexing to have a restricted response to suction exerted thereupon.   whereby the suction drawn upon said nozzle determines the demand for air upon said air port and the air supplied by said port.   
     
     
       2. In connection with a vacuum type cleaning apparatus, a cleaning head structure comprising a hood having a chamber therein and forming a nozzle at its forward end, and forming a nozzle at its forward end,   a tubular member communicating with said chamber and extending rearwardly to a suction source,   a cleaning fluid chamber extending transversely within said chamber and having a nozzle coterminous with said hood nozzle,   a fluid line having an inlet at each side of said fluid chamber into a fluid manifold,   jets dispersing cleaning fluid from said manifold into and through said fluid chamber to said nozzle of said fluid chamber,   an air manifold adjacent said fluid manifold,   a diaphragm having restrained flaps forming a restrictive air demand responsive air port at each end of said air manifold,   said demand responsive air ports being open to the atmosphere and communicating with said fluid chamber,   a suction passage between said hood and said fluid chamber from said tubular member to said nozzle of said head,   whereby the suction exerted upon said hood nozzle draws upon said fluid chamber and said air ports for an air supply, to co-mingle with the fluid in said fluid chamber in accordance with the cleaning requirements of said cleaning head within the restrictive limits of said diaphragms.